Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2024 course information

Award granted

Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security

Deakin course codeD380
Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
OnlineYes
Duration4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2024

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2024

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2024

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CRICOS course code091788E Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Course sub-headings

Course overview

In our increasingly digital world cyber security is a significant challenge for individuals and businesses alike. This course will equip you with an understanding of the major drivers of criminal behaviour, along with the industry-relevant skills to tackle what is quickly becoming a critical threat to society. You will gain expertise in securing data and data communications, as well as investigating and providing solutions to cybercrime.

Develop strong practical and theoretical knowledge, with an emphasis on assessing cyber security in a working environment, developing security solutions for businesses, and understanding the ethical and legal implications of risk management.

You will have access to specialised cyber security labs with state-of-the-art tools, putting you at the cutting edge of cyber security and criminology research.

Are you ready to join the fight against cybercrime?

Designed in conjunction with leading organisations in the field, including Victoria Police and the Australian Crime Commission, this combined course will equip you with in-demand industry skills valued by employers.

The unique partnership of criminology and cyber security provides you with a thorough understanding of the motivations, causes and consequences of crime, as well as the technical skills and cyber security literacy to help prevent and combat cybercrime and cyber terrorism.

Get practical learning with our careers-focused units, which allow you to bridge theory with practice and better understand how criminological thinking applies across industries and sectors.

You will have access to our brand-new specialised capstone project and co-working space, which offers you an inspiring environment to collaborate with your teammates on your capstone project. As part of your cyber security stream, you will undertake two capstone units, allowing you to develop solutions to real-world problems from industry and learn agile project management methods – widely used across industry.

Our past students have collaborated on capstone projects such as:

  • Is my smart home secure enough?
  • Virtual penetration testing lab
  • One-time pad (OTP) VPN
  • Voice-activated password security
  • Secure Australian online voting system.

Need more flexibility in your studies? Take advantage of our flexible learning options and find the right balance for you. You can choose to study part-time or full-time, on campus or 100% online. You can also take advantage of Deakin’s trimester system and fast-track your degree and complete your combined degree in a shorter time frame.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Cyber Security part of this double-degree is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Career opportunities

Promising career opportunities await in the areas of both criminology and cyber security. As a graduate, you may find employment in areas such as government agencies, state and federal police, security and intelligence agencies, research and policy development, correctional services, community services, and private security and consultative industries. You will also be equipped for more technical roles such as security analyst, security systems manager, security system developer/programmer, anti-virus software developer or computer forensic specialist.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Alternative exits

Bachelor of Criminology (A329)
Bachelor of Cyber Security (S334)

Equipment requirements

For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the School of Information Technology or telephone 03 9244 6699.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of the single degree.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security students must complete 32 credit points consisting of 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology and 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Cyber Security, which must include the following:

  • Course requirements for both Bachelor of Criminology and Bachelor of Cyber Security must be satisfied.
    • No more than 10 credit points at level 1
    • Criminology students are not require to complete an additional minor as part of the Bachelor of Cyber Security.
  • Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Bachelor of Criminology studies

Students must complete 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology, including:

  • At least 12-credit points of Criminology units, including the compulsory core units of ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301 and ACR302
  • Up to 4 credit points of electives chosen from Arts course grouped units.
  • At least 6 credit points of arts units at level 3 including ACR301 and ACR302
  • DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Bachelor of Cyber Security studies

Students must complete 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Cyber Security, including:

  • 13 credit points of core units
  • 3 credit points of Cyber Security Capstone units
  • SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit) and
  • STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)

Course structure

Bachelor of Criminology

Core Units

ACR101Introducing Crime and Criminology (also offered in Trimester 3)

ACR102Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

ACR201Issues in Criminal Justice

ACR202Explaining Crime

ACR301International and Comparative Criminal Justice

ACR302Criminology Research

Plus at least six credit points from the list below:

ACR203Crime, Victims and Justice

ACR204Crime, Media and Justice

ACR206Criminology in Action

ACR211Crime Prevention and Security

ACR214Inequality, Power and Justice

ACR304Surveillance and Social Justice

ACR305Crime, Terrorism and Security

ACR306Careers in Criminal Justice

MAE266Black Market Economics: Exploring the Underworld of Illicit Trade

Bachelor of Cyber Security studies

Core units

SIT010Safety Induction Program (0) credit point

STP010Career Tools for Employability (0) credit point

SIT102Introduction to Programming

SIT111Computer Systems

SIT182Real World Practices for Cyber Security

SIT192Discrete Mathematics

SIT232Object-Oriented Development

SIT202Computer Networks and Communication

SIT223Professional Practice in Information Technology #

SIT218Secure Coding

SIT282Computer Forensics and Investigations

SIT324Malware Analysis

SIT327Network Forensics

SIT384Cyber Security Analytics

SIT379Ethical Hacking

# Corequisite of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)

Cyber Security capstone

SIT374Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices

SIT378Team Project (B) - Execution and Delivery

SIT306IT Placements and Industry Experience

OR

SIT344Professional Practice

Plus:

  • 1 credit point elective unit

^ Students are recommended to undertake SIT374 and SIT378 in consecutive trimesters. Students should seek advice from the unit chair if they are unable to complete SIT374 and SIT378 consecutively.

* Students who have not completed Maths methods in VCE are encouraged to complete SIT190 as an elective. This means they must complete the SIT344 capstone option

Course Certifications

Students will have the opportunity to complete Industry certifications within the following core units as part of your cyber security degree for no additional cost:

  • SIT182 Real World Practices for Cyber Security
  • SIT282 Computer Crime and Digital Forensics
  • SIT218 Secure Coding
  • SIT379 Ethical Hacking

Certifications include:

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP) (from 2022)
  • Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) (from 2022)
  • Cybersecurity Fundamentals (CSX)

Additional course information

Student equipment purchases

The learning experiences and assessment activities within this course require that students have access to a range of technologies beyond a desktop computer or laptop. Students will be required to purchase minor equipment, such as small single board computers, microcontrollers and sensors, which will be used within a range of units in this course. This equipment is also usable by the student beyond their studies. Equipment requirements and details of suppliers will be provided on a per-unit basis. The indicative cost of this equipment for this course is AUD$500

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.